2014 Co. Intermediate Championship

The scoreline of this fixture does not reflect what a tough battle Emmets faced at home to the 2013 Junior Champions, Conor Cox opened the scoring from a pointed free, followed by a well worked point from Noel Kennelly, Gary Sayers dropped over a pointed free for the visitors. Keel continued to operate a deep defensive game and continued to frustrate the Emmets forward lines, with both teams guilty of wayward shooting, leaving the first half with 0-4 a piece it was all to play for in the second half. Keel raised into a two point lead and were playing with confidence good defensive work by Emmets and in particular the McGuire brothers and Cormac Mulvihill, ensured they did not keep their lead for long, as the industrious Conor Cox pointed from play followed quickly by point from David Sheehy and Maurice Whelan. The game continued to ebb and flow but wayward shooting from both sides saw no team pull away until Micheal Stack shot for the games only goal and place Emmets in the driving seat until the final whistle. Emmets next meet with Spa in the Intermediate Championship on Sunday 11th May at home at 2.30pm.Team: Shane Quinn, John Heaphy, Jack McGuire, Ger McCarthy, Cormac Mulvihill, Brendan Guiney, Jake Moriarty, Brian McGuire, Conor Cox (0-7, 0-4f, 0-1, '45), Maurice Whelan (0-1), Micheal Lynch, Denis Walsh, David Sheehy (0-1), Noel Kennelly (0-1), Micheal Stack (1-0) Subs: Eddie Joe Walsh (0-1) for David Sheehy, Bryan Murphy for Maurice Whelan, Ricky Halpin for Cormac Mulvihill.

This Castleisland Co-Op Intermediate Championship Quarter-final fixture between Listowel Emmets and Spa was played in bright and blustery conditions in Frank Sheehy Park today. Going to extra-time and still no winner decided, this was an epic encounter between two ambitious teams. An open, entertaining and skilful game ensued.The wind played a huge part in both the first half and second half of normal time with Spa dominating the first half proceeding and Emmets resurrecting themselves with a fine display of football and heart in the second half.Spa opened the proceedings in the first minute with a point from Liam Kearney and went on to dominate the opening period of the game. Michael Stack took a nice score after ten minutes as Listowel began to find their feet in the game but only managed to register one other score in the half off the boot of David Sheehy.With the wind blowing diagonally across the field it favoured Spa in the first half and predominantly through the free taking skills of Alan O’Donoghue they managed to open a strong lead going into the second half with a scoreline of 1-8 to 0-2.Mikey Kennelly’s canvassing skills were put to good use at half time in the Emmets dressing room only it was scores he was looking for now and not votes. He must be good at it as Emmets came out rejuvenated. Conor Cox was moved to midfield with Noel Kennelly moving into the danger zone at full forward. This paid dividends within 6 minutes as Kennelly got his fist to a ball and buried it in the back of the graveyard goals.Emmets fight back had begun and all over the pitch they began to win their battles. Some vital turnovers were created by Denis Walsh and Noel Kennelly with Cormac Mulvihill picking up the breaks, becoming more influential from his centre forward position.Shane Quinn in goals for Emmets after an exceptional first half followed it on with an outstanding match performance pulling off 6 saves from point blank range at different stages during the game.Alan O’Donoghue and Alan Garnett who also put in huge performances began to be nullified in the middle third and Cox started to build up his tally of scores. After 48 minutes Ger McCarthy broke through the Spa defence setting up Brendan Guiney to take a fine score off his right boot.At 51 minutes Noel Kennelly levelled the match and it was nip and tuck for the rest of the game. O’Donoghue kicked a free with a minute to go for Spa to go one up and Kennelly levelled again in the 62nd minute to take the game to extra-time with a scoreline of 1-9 to 1-9.For some reason the wind didn’t affect the teams in extra time despite being persistent as it was 50/50 throughout this period. Jamie Spillane and Shane Cronin put Spa up by 2 again but Emmets’ never say die attitude that they have displayed all year stood to them and once again brought it back to level pegging through the boot of Conor Cox. This was a thoroughly enjoyable game of football played in the best spirit and a draw was probably the fairest result. The fixture will go to a replay with the date to be confirmed.